Vehicle Crashes Into US Capitol South Barricade, Police Investigating As Driver Taken Into Custody

A vehicle struck a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday morning. Photo: Getty Images

A vehicle crashed into the south barricade of the U.S. Capitol on Friday morning, and U.S. Capitol police took the driver into custody. The crash was reported around 6 a.m. Friday by local news affiliates on Twitter.

"The [U.S. Capitol Police] is currently investigating a vehicle ‎that struck the South Barricade of the U.S. Capitol Building. The driver (sole vehicle occupant) is in the custody of the [U.S. Capitol Police]," read a statement released by Lt. Kimberly Schneider, public information officer for the Capitol police.

The car drove into a barricade that stands about 50 yards from the entrance of the House chamber, near where members of the House park during congressional votes. Because the House began a monthlong recess Wednesday, there were likely no members in the Capitol at the time of the incident.

The Senate also finished its session Thursday and had left for the weekend.

The driver never made it past the perimeter, according to the same statement by Schneider.